Letter 3028: The sight of those who have impressed themselves on our hearts through glorious actions is always pleasing to us.
Cassiodorus→Cassiodorus|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
imperial politics
From: Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To: Cassiodorus the Elder, Patrician [the author's father]
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Theoderic summons the elder Cassiodorus to court, praising his distinguished career of honest public service.
The sight of those who have impressed themselves on our hearts through glorious actions is always pleasing to us. Those who have proven their devotion to virtue have given us a permanent pledge of their loyalty. Therefore, we summon your greatness -- proven to us by your glorious service -- to our court by this present order, so that our entourage may be adorned by your presence and you may be enhanced by our regard.
It is fitting that you should also be sought out, you who made our times the subject of praise. You adorned the palace with the integrity of your conscience. You gave the people profound peace. You became known to all precisely because anyone who wished to exploit your position found it impossible. But those who came before your tribunal saw a judge they did not fear for any threat of loss -- you became more precious to all because you could not be bought at any price. Who would not wish to see such a man, to whom we have publicly expressed our gratitude? For while we have tried to restrain others, we have praised you even in the witness of the palace. Hasten your steps, hurry your arrival. The man who knows he can be supported by his prince should come eagerly.
XXVIII. CASSIODORO V. I. PATRICIO THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Gratus nobis est eorum semper aspectus qui nostris animis gloriosis actionibus insederunt, quoniam perpetuum obsidem dederunt amoris sui qui apud nos probati sunt studere virtuti. proinde magnitudinem tuam glorioso nobis servitio probatam ad comitatum iussis praesentibus evocamus, ut et ornatus de te regalibus crescat obsequiis et tu nostris conspectibus augearis. [2] Convenit enim te etiam requiri, qui nostra fecisti eximie tempora praedicari. ornasti de conscientiae integritate palatia: dedisti populis altam quietem. hinc omnibus factus notior, quia qui voluit te positum in potestate nescivit: praesentati autem tribunalibus iudicem sine damni aliquo terrore viderunt: pretiosior factus cunctis, quia nullo praemio vendebaris. quis talem non desideret videre, cui nos publice constat gratiam rettulisse? nam qui alterum reprimere conati sumus, te etiam palatio teste laudavimus. tende gradus, accelera festinus adventum. alacrem venire convenit, qui se a principe sustineri posse cognoscit.
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From:Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To:Cassiodorus the Elder, Patrician [the author's father]
Date:~522 AD
Context:Theoderic summons the elder Cassiodorus to court, praising his distinguished career of honest public service.
The sight of those who have impressed themselves on our hearts through glorious actions is always pleasing to us. Those who have proven their devotion to virtue have given us a permanent pledge of their loyalty. Therefore, we summon your greatness -- proven to us by your glorious service -- to our court by this present order, so that our entourage may be adorned by your presence and you may be enhanced by our regard.
It is fitting that you should also be sought out, you who made our times the subject of praise. You adorned the palace with the integrity of your conscience. You gave the people profound peace. You became known to all precisely because anyone who wished to exploit your position found it impossible. But those who came before your tribunal saw a judge they did not fear for any threat of loss -- you became more precious to all because you could not be bought at any price. Who would not wish to see such a man, to whom we have publicly expressed our gratitude? For while we have tried to restrain others, we have praised you even in the witness of the palace. Hasten your steps, hurry your arrival. The man who knows he can be supported by his prince should come eagerly.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.